Town back decision to suspend league

Horncastle Town manager Mickey Stones has backed the Lincolnshire League’s decision to suspend action until January.
The Horncastle Town squad in this year’s home kit, sponsored by Polypipe.The Horncastle Town squad in this year’s home kit, sponsored by Polypipe.
The Horncastle Town squad in this year’s home kit, sponsored by Polypipe.

The Wongers haven’t played since October 17, and won’t play again this year.

The league has been suspended due to Lincolnshire being put in tier three restrictions and the added disadvantage of the county being covered by different health boards, which teams are not allowed to cross into and out of under current guidelines.

“The Lincs League, we think they’ve made the right decision,” manager Stones told The News.

“We can’t travel between the two tiers so it’s an easy decision. We agree with them and back them.”

The Wongers are among the teams who would be hampered if action continued between clubs in the same health board areas due to having players based in Nottinghamshire and Yorkshire.

But that’s not the only concern at the club right now.

“I think it’s going to be difficult to play football in tier three at this level and the reason we play football in step seven is community based,” Stones added.

“With no bar open and no changing room and not being able to car share it’s virtually impossible to play.

“The biggest issue in theory for us is travelling to away games. Are they expecting us to take 20 separate vehicles to away games?

“We’re not being run about by parents. I’m in a one-car family and on Saturday’s my wife needs the car for the kids.

“There’s also the social side. Being in the changing rooms, everyone says when they retire it’s not the football they miss, it’s being in the changing room with the lads.

“If you’re going to turn up and play football and go home with no social aspect, it’s not the same. Families come down to watch the games and stay for a drink after - to lose all of that it seems pointless.”